LEPTOSPIROSIS
This is an infection caused by leptospira. The rat is the principal source of infection in humans. Infection takes place by direct contact with the urine or blood of an infected rat, or from contaminated water, soil or vegetables. 

Leptospira commonly enter through a moist skin with cuts, or through a mucous membrane. After entering the blood stream through the skin or mucous membranes, leptospira spread to all the patient’s organs.

SYMPTOMS: The onset is usually sudden with fever, chills, headache, severe pain in the muscles, redness of eyes, nausea, pain in the abdomen, and vomiting.

The patient may also develop jaundice and a bleeding tendency.

After a quiet asymptomatic period of 1 to 3 days, the child may again develop fever with symptoms suggestive of meningitis, involvement of the heart, liver damage and kidney failure.

Though many infected patients may not show any evidence of the disease, death can occur in severe cases. Certain blood tests, urine examination and an electrocardiogram help in reaching the diagnosis.

TREATMENT: Injections of penicillin may be lifesaving. The other drug that can also be used is tetracycline, but it should be avoided in children below the age of 8 years.

11 February, 2013